Covid-19 Update

17th November 2020

 

Dear Member

COVID-19 UPDATE

Scotland – First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, today confirmed as expected that 11 local authorities would move up to level 4 this Friday. Level 4  (which for business means a full lockdown except for essential retail) will be for a limited period of 3 weeks from 6pm on 20 November to 11 December. The Scottish Government will assess nearer the time what levels will be set in each local authority after this.

 

Key Announcements

 

  • 19 council areas will see no change
  • 2 areas will move down from level 3 to level 2, next Tuesday 24 Nov – This means Amusement Arcades in these areas will be able to open.
    • East Lothian and Midlothian
  • 11 council areas will move from level 3 to level 4 for 3 weeks until 11 December.  Amusement Arcades are already closed at Level 3 but this will now, amongst other things, mean that bookmakers and pubs are also fully closed (apart from takeaways).
    • Glasgow
    • Renfrewshire
    • East Renfrewshire
    • East Dunbartonshire
    • West Dunbartonshire
    • North Lanarkshire
    • South Lanarkshire
    • East Ayrshire
    • South Ayrshire
    • Stirling 
    • West Lothian 
  • Travel restrictions will become law from Friday 20 November

 

Financial Support

  • In addition to the UK furlough scheme, firms that are required by law to close will be eligible for grants every four weeks for as long as the restrictions last. Based on rateable values, awards will be for either £2,000 or £3,000. 
  • Businesses which can remain open, but are directly constrained by the measures, will be eligible for grants worth £1,400 or £2,100, again based on rateable value.
  • £30m discretionary fund for councils to provide additional support for businesses such as supply chains.
  • £15m for newly self-employed people who haven’t been able to access other support.
  • £15 for Councils to help with the community and social impact of the move to level 4

 

Kind regards,

John